In a day when pumpkin pies are bought from the store, this book made me wish I knew how to make a “rich, spicy, luscious, crisp pumpkin pie.” I am not the greatest judge of children’s books but I’d say this one is a great story. The illustrations are simply stupendous. For instance, in the pictures on pages 18, and 31, the pumpkins look somewhat like they have faces. Also on the cover you can vaguely see a face on the pumpkin in the lower right corner. This seems to allow the child the opportunity to imagine the pumpkins as characters.
In this book we meet Mr. Hermit Miser, a cranky old bachelor who hates all his neighbors and wants to keep his pumpkins all to himself. He especially despises Mrs. Bircham who also dislikes him, because he doesn’t paint his house or mend his fence or pull his weeds and because, worst of all, he is mean to his cat.
When a pumpkin vine begins growing in his yard, he is pleased because there is nothing he likes better than a pumpkin pie. Unfortunately, his vine has a mind of its own and goes into his neighbors yards. Also unfortunately, his section of the vine has no pumpkins on it, and he has no idea how to make a pie. Eventually his neighbors tell him that if he will agree to paint his house, mend his fence, pull his weeds, and be nice to his cat he can have as many pies as he wants.
Unlike Mr. Miser’s, the pie recipes in the book appear to be good. Honestly, I myself have not tried them. The only negative thing I have to say about this book is that it is rather long for a children’s book, and my voice was tired by the end of reading it aloud. Mr. Hermit Miser was extremely funny. His face on page 26 was just awesome, a masterpiece of art! Both my younger brother and sister enjoyed it when I read it to them. When I asked them why they liked it, my 3-year-old sister replied, “I don’t know, I just liked it!” So I think it was a win! I also read it myself beforehand and thought it was very intriguing. This is a great tale of kindness and friendship – a great read for any family!